Eat
Aug. 23: Ekiben Night Market
1500 Thames St. 4-10 p.m. $27.50.
In her guide to savoring this second-annual food fest—now expanded to Fells Point—our research editor and dining reviewer Amy Scattergood shares a few tips and tricks she learned from attending last year. Among the most important: “Fast before you go,” she says. “I know it’s Saturday, I know you love brunch, but resist. There is nothing as sad as being surrounded by world-class street food and not being hungry enough to enjoy it all.” World-class, indeed. The Ekiben owners have arranged for more than 40 restaurants, chefs, and pop-ups from all over the Mid-Atlantic (think: everyone from Pho Bac and Rooted Rotisserie to Erik Bruner‑Yang of D.C.’s Maketto and Helen Nguyen of NYC’s Saigon Social), to bring their best bites to the night market, which will also host local artists and live music. Everything you need to know before you go can be found, here.
See also: Cloudy Donuts Pop-Up
DRINK
Aug. 23: Tiki Lee’s Lemon Luau
Tiki Lee’s Dockbar. 4309 Shore Rd. Sparrows Point. 2 p.m. Free admission.
Summer isn’t over yet. After a gloomy week (thanks, Erin), head to this dock bar in Sparrows Point to soak up some sun on Saturday. Complimentary leis, limbo and hula hoop contests, and a live steel drum band will set the scene, but no island oasis is complete without paper umbrella-garnished cocktails. Throughout the afternoon, the bar will be pouring Deep Eddy Crushes (peach and pineapple are among favorites) and specials like the Spiked Tiki Palmer—which fuses Deep Eddy lemon and iced tea vodka.
SEE
Aug. 24: Bmore Flea at Peabody Heights
Peabody Heights Brewery. 401 E. 40th St. 12-5 p.m. Free admission.
Aside from its weekly pop-up at Broadway Market in Fells Point on Saturday, this thrifter’s paradise is setting up shop at Peabody Heights in Abell on Sunday—which means double the opportunities to shop for vintage treasures this weekend. More than 30 vendors will showcase threads, home goods, jewelry, vinyl, and special Y2K and Western collections. While you explore, be sure to grab a beer from the bar, a bite from Peabody’s new food truck, and play a round of arcade games at The Dugout.
See also: The Tenth 10x10x10; Wicked Movie Night at Canton Waterfront Park
HEAR
Aug. 23: The Hot August Happening
Union Craft Brewing. 1700 W. 41st St. 6 p.m. $35-40.
Robbie Cooper and Ryan Glaeser—the duo behind the annual Hot August Music Festival at Oregon Ridge—are taking the year off to do some restructuring and plan for 2026, but they didn’t want to leave fans hanging this summer. To that end, they’re producing this smaller show at Union Craft Brewing in Hampden on Saturday. Snag a ticket to spend the summer night jamming to a cover-focused lineup, featuring Grateful Dead tribute band Dancing Bears, reggae-infused Beatles tribute band Yellow Dubmarine, and yacht rockers Knights of the Night.
DO
Aug. 22-24: Maryland State Fair Opening Weekend
2200 York Rd. Lutherville-Timonium. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. $15.
The first of three weekends to enjoy fried food, farm animals, rides, carnival games, concerts, and more is finally back at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Before back-to-school season officially takes over, peep this year’s massive brochure to plan out a visit. Whether you’re a fan of moseying around the Midway, watching the Swifty Swine races, browsing the Negro League Baseball exhibit, eyeing entries in the 4-H competitions, or grooving to live music, there’s plenty to explore.
See also: Maryland Renaissance Festival; Mayor’s Back-to-School Kick-Off